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Gigabyte GA-X99 overview

1Description

The GA-X99-Phoenix SLI LGA 2011-3 ATX Motherboard (rev. 1.0) from Gigabyte is designed to fit in cases that support the ATX form factor. It supports Intel Core i7 processors in the LGA 2011-3 package and the Intel X99 Express chipset, such as the Core i7-6950X Extreme Edition processor. This motherboard supports Windows 10, 8.1, and 7, as well as Linux and Win9X/ME/2000/XP with available drivers.

The ATX form factor of the GA-X99-Phoenix SLI has 8 x DIMM slots that can support up to 256GB of DDR4 RDIMM RAM, as well as up to 128GB of DDR4 UDIMM RAM. While non-ECC and ECC modules are supported, ECC modules will run in non-ECC mode, and quad-channel memory architecture and Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules are also supported. The supported memory speeds are DDR4 3600 (OC), 3400 (OC), 3333 (OC), 3200 (OC), 3000 (OC), 2800 (OC), 2666 (OC), 2400 (OC), and 2133 MHz memory modules.

The GA-X99-Phoenix SLI does not contain integrated graphics, meaning that the user will need to purchase a dedicated GPU of their choice. This motherboard has also been designed with Gigabyte's DualBIOS, Long Lifespan Durable Black Solid Caps, high quality audio capacitors, Ambient Surround LED lighting, and more. It is protected by a limited 3-year warranty.

General Features

Ambient Surround LED - Set the Color that Matches Your Style

Now offering more LED customizations, users can truly adapt their PC to represent their lifestyle. With full RGB support and a redesigned Ambient LED application, the user has complete control over the LEDs which surround the motherboard.

Light Up Your Case to Match your Motherboard

With an onboard Pin Header for aftermarket LED Strips, users now have the ability to sync the lighting in their computer case with the lighting on their motherboard. By using the Ambient LED Application, included in Gigabyte APP Center, users are also able to specify the lighting modes available and ensure that everything is illuminating their system in harmony.

Dual Hybrid Fan Headers

Many of today's modern computers feature water cooling to ensure that the CPU or graphics cards stay cool and quiet while they are put under heavy loads. In order to provide the improved support for water cooling solutions, Gigabyte has equipped its X99/Z170 motherboards with an additional water pump power header. This allows the user to have full control over two water pumps or fans. An additional benefit of these headers with Gigabyte's motherboards is the option to choose between voltage calibration or PWM modes.

Immersive VR Gaming Experience

With technologies such as Thunderbolt 3 to transfer data and video, NVMe support via M.2 or U.2, and a one-piece metal shielding to brace for heavier discrete graphics cards, it's clear that Gigabyte has the tools you need to start your journey in VR. To set the mood, Gigabyte motherboards include Ambient Surround LEDs.

2-Way SLI / CrossFire Multi-Graphics

By spacing the graphics cards in multi-graphics configurations, users are now able to obtain improved airflow between cards.

USB 3.1 - Speed & Power

The Intel USB 3.1 controller utilizes four PCIe Gen3 Lanes, offering up to 32 Gb/s of total bandwidth for transfer speeds of up to 10 Gb/s per USB 3.1. With up to twice the bandwidth compared to its previous generation, and backwards compatibility with USB 3.0 and 2.0, the improved USB 3.1 protocol is available over the reversible USB Type-C and the traditional USB Type-A connector for better compatibility over a wider range of devices.

USB Type-C - Universal Connectivity

The USB Type-C is a reversible connector that is loaded with features such as USB 3.1 support for 10 Gb/s transfer speed and DisplayPort 1.2 support to connect 4K monitors.

U.2 Onboard (NVMe PCIe Gen3 x4)

Intel 750 series SSDs offer an increase in performance over SATA drives. Using the NVMe protocol which takes advantage of the fast bandwidth of PCIe Gen3 x4 lanes (32 Gb/s), the drives offer an advantage for users looking to boot their OS faster, load their games in a flash, and access large files without waiting. By implementing the U.2 port onboard to support the 2.5" Intel 750 Series drive, Gigabyte ensures that the users can benefit from improved performance.

Gigabyte X99 series motherboards use an all-digital CPU power design from International Rectifier which includes both 4th Generation digital PWM Controllers and 3rd Generation PowIRstage controllers. These 100% digital controllers offer precision in delivering power to the motherboard's most power-hungry and energy-sensitive components, allowing enthusiasts to get the strong performance from their Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition CPUs.

IR Digital PWM & IR PowIRstage ICs

This generation of IR digital power controllers and PowIRstage ICs feature Isense technology, which provide more precise current sensing accuracy. This helps evenly distribute the thermal loading between the PowIRstage ICs, preventing the overheating of each individual PowIRstage, resulting in longer lifespan and better reliability.

Server Level Chokes

Gigabyte X99 series motherboards feature Server Level Chokes.

Server level reliability

High current capacity

Its design reduces heat created by power loss and provides efficient power delivery to the CPU VRM area

Long Lifespan Durable Black Solid Caps

Gigabyte X99 series motherboards integrate the solid state capacitors that are rated to perform for extended periods, even in extreme performance configurations. This provides peace of mind for end users who want to push their system hard, yet require reliability and stability, with ultra-low ESR.

Support for DDR4 XMP Up to 3400 MHz and Beyond

Gigabyte is offering a tested platform that ensures proper compatibility with profiles up to 3400 MHz and beyond. All users need to do to attain this performance boost is to ensure that their memory module is XMP capable and that the XMP function is activated and enabled on their motherboard

Refreshed BIOS

The BIOS is essential for users during initial setup to allow for the optimal settings. With an improved GUI and easier to use functionalities, Gigabyte has been able to reinvent the BIOS to give users a better experience while setting up their new system.

Double Locking Bracket

The first lock is inserted from the top for better retention, while the second lock is soldered for a stronger bond.

Durable PCIe Armor

The one-piece stainless steel shielding design from Gigabyte reinforces the PCIe connectors to provide the extra strength required to support heavy graphics cards.

Sulfur compounds in the air can penetrate tiny onboard resistors creating chemical changes and causing these resistors to open or short. If either of these occurs, the motherboard will fail to function. By equipping resistors with an anti-sulfur design, an alloy layer helps protect the silver layer and prevents the sulfurization reaction from taking place.

Dual Intel Gigabit LAN with cFos Speed & Intel Wi-Fi Card Onboard

The Dual Intel Gigabit LAN with cFos Speed features technology to help deliver better network responsiveness in crowded LAN environments and allows optimization and improved network performance for specific applications, making it a popular choice amongst gamers.

Turbo B-Clock

Thanks to the onboard Turbo B-Clock Tuning IC, Gigabyte motherboards enable overclockers to have the ability to change their BCLK frequency to a desired value of their choice. With the linear range adjustment option of the Tuning IC, ranges from 90 to 500 MHz are now possible, so that overclockers are not limited to the 5% ranges of traditional straps.

High Definition Audio Design

The Realtek ALC1150 is a high-performance multi-channel high definition audio codec that delivers an audio listening experience with up to 115dB SNR, ensuring users get high quality audio from their PC. High quality audio capacitors deliver the improved sound resolution and sound expansion to create the realistic sound effects for professional gamers.

DualBIOS (UEFI) Design

Gigabyte Ultra Durable motherboards feature DualBIOS, a technology from that protects one of your PC's most crucial components, the BIOS. Gigabyte DualBIOS means that your motherboard has both a 'Main BIOS' and a 'Backup BIOS,' protecting users from BIOS failures due to virus, hardware malfunction, improper OC settings, or power failure during the update process.

Long Lifespan Durable Black Solid Caps

Gigabyte motherboards integrate the solid state capacitors that are rated to perform for extended periods, even in extreme performance configurations. With ultra-low ESR, this provides peace of mind for end users who want to push their system hard, yet demand absolute reliability and stability.

2x Copper PCB Design (2 oz Copper PCB)

Gigabyte's 2x Copper PCB design provides sufficient power trace paths between components to handle greater than normal power loads and to remove heat from the critical CPU power delivery area. This is essential to ensure the motherboard is able to handle the increased power loading that is necessary when overclocking.

15-Micron Gold Plated CPU Socket Design

Gigabyte motherboards come equipped with a 15-micron thick gold plated CPU socket, which means that enthusiasts can enjoy reliability and longevity for the CPU socket over time, without having concerns about corroded pins or bad contacts.

Q-Flash Plus

Updating your BIOS on your Gigabyte motherboard can be done in a flash - even without memory or CPU onboard. Utilizing the EC Controller, the BIOS on your motherboard can now be updated through Q-Flash Plus even if your system is unable to boot. An LED next to the EC controller will notify you once the procedure is complete and you are ready to boot your system normally.

"G-Connector" Design

The tiny cables of the front panel connectors can be hard to manipulate, as space is restricted and indicators are tiny. With the G-Connector, you can connect all the FP cables at once, simplifying the process of building your next PC and saving you some frustrations.

ESD Protection for USB and LAN

Gigabyte motherboards raise the bar in terms of protecting your system, providing advanced electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for both your Ethernet LAN and USB ports, both common sources of ESD-related failures. Each LAN and USB port is paired with a dedicated protection filter that can withstand high electrostatic discharges, protecting your system from common electrical surges and even direct lighting strikes.

Gigabyte GA-X99 specs

8 x DDR4 DIMM sockets supporting up to 128 GB of system memory
* Support for up to 256 GB of system memory when using Registered DIMMs.
* Due to a Windows 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than the size of the physical memory installed.

2 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots, running at x16 (PCIEX16_1, PCIEX16_2)
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16_1 slot; if you are installing two PCI Express graphics cards, it is recommended that you install them in the PCIEX16_1 and PCIEX16_2 slots.
* When an i7-5820K or i7-6800K CPU is installed, the PCIEX16_2 slot operates at up to x8 mode.

2 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots, running at x8 (PCIEX8_1, PCIEX8_2)
* The PCIEX8_1 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16_1 slot and the PCIEX8_2 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16_2 slot. When the PCIEX8_1/PCIEX8_2 slot is populated, the PCIEX16_1/PCIEX16_2 slot operates at up to x8 mode.
* When an i7-5820K or i7-6800K CPU is installed, the PCIEX8_2 slot becomes unavailable.

Gigabyte GA-X99 reviews

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Mercdoc from
Excellant ProductTHIS IS REALLY A GREAT MOTHERBOARD WITH ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES..... USER MANUAL IS EXCELLENT...

Date published: 2016-09-30

Rated 3 out of
5 by
August from
Not the best time to upgrade...Pros: Quickest, easiest build Ive put together to date. Build consisted of: - Case: Lian-Li PC-D600WB (layout is excellent) - PSU: Seasonic Flagship PRIME TITANIUM 850 SSR-850TD - CPU: i7-6800K - CPU cooler: Noctua NH-C14S (allows for memory changes/adds without removal) - Memory: G.SKILL Value 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4 2400 (4-2400C15Q-16GNT) (couldnt care less about blinking lights or heat sinks that serve no purpose) - SSD: PNY Technologies 960GB CS2211 (Phison S10 controller; MLC; Toshiba chips; 565/540 MB/s; MTBF 2 Million Hours/4 year warranty; 80% of workforce is in the USA) - M.2: MyDigitalSSD 480GB (512GB) BPX NVMe (Phison E7 controller; MLC; MTBF 2 Million Hours/5 year warranty) - Video: EVGA GeForce GTX780 3GB GDDR5 384bit (this was my existing card; saw no reason to update since none of the 1070 cards were doing 4k/60hz) - OS: Win7Pro64; Ubuntu on USB stick The build went without any hiccups; it probably only took an hour to get to the point where I was putting the Win7 disc in the tray. That was the highpointsee Cons As far as performance in Win7, its all 7.9s without any over-clocking (not much better than Z97). As far as temps, the 140W CPU is steady @ 23C. This temp is before the chip has had time to seat with the paste, and for paste all I used was the stuff that comes with Noctua. Cons: First, the serious bug. This board is funny about the USB devices that are connected to it during bootup. The USB hub/devices that I had been running with the Z97 setup cause this board to crash during bootup every other boot. But it is okay with my ADL Stratos DAC. This makes for a flaky system. Second, some general gripes about the design of this board directed specifically at GigaByte: GB it is the year 2017, no-one needs a PS2 connector, just give us 2 more USB ports; SATA Express is dead; anyone that is serious about music/sound quality coming from a computer owns an external USB DAC; please focus on quality, and spare us the blinking light foolishness. If youre a Thunderbolt user, youre out of luck, because there is no real TB on this board. There is a connector on the PCB, but there is no external connector (mini-DisplayPort). GB makes an Alpine Ridge Thunderbolt card, but it is not sold in the States by anyone. So the purpose of that connector is just so that GigaByte can advertise it that way. Wow There is an Asus card out there, but no idea if it is pinned the same way. This is a serious dropped ball. If you dont already own any TB devices, they are sick fast on the data transfer side, and on the audio side they have zero latency. TB has no bus interruptions. Compared to TB, USB3.1 is a joke. Other Thoughts: The firmware had to be updated from F2 to F4; not a big deal but this board had been sitting on the shelf since the initial release. Be aware that if you are running a chip with only 28 PCIe lanes you cannot run a U.2 drive. The only reason I upgraded now is because I am building a FreeNAS server. So the Z97/ i7-4790 moved over to that box, and the X99 became my primary PC. Otherwise this is not a good time to upgrade. Using an external ADL Stratos DAC, the USB ports on this board are very low noise; lossless music is clear as a bell. If you do not have to upgrade, I would hold off. Skylake X (X299 Chipset; LGA 2066; DDR4-2667; 14nm; same core configuration as Broadwell-E) is coming probably in June (Computex 17), and hopefully it will make 44 PCIe lanes standard.